Taking your Electric Wheelchair to the Airport, several things to keep in mind:
In this goDRIVE video, Taking your Electric Wheelchair to the Airport, down the gangway to board the airplane, and folding up your chair. It’s a huge benefit having the freedom and the mobility to drive yourself around the airport, through TSA security, to the gate, and even grab something to eat or drink before your flight. You no longer have to be pushed manually by a total stranger and dropped off at the gate, to sit and wait for your flight.
- Once at your gate get a “Gate Check” tag for your chair.
- Place your protected travel bag under your seat so you are ready to put it on your chair.
- BEFORE the gate attendant starts the boarding process, be at the gate so they see you.
- The gate attendant will allow you (and a travel companion) to start driving down the gangway by yourself. They are too busy getting ready to push the each and every passenger in manual chair down the gangway.
- Drive slow, sometimes the gangways are steep with 2-3 inch drops in each section of the expandable hallway.
- Once at the landing area outside the plane, fold up your chair.
- Remove the joystick and take it on the plane with you.
- Place the travel bag over your folded chair to protect it from baggage handlers.
- Board the plane…IF you can not walk onto the plane, ask the flight attendant to use the “Aisle Chair”.
- The aisle chair is a very narrow wheelchair flight attendants use to push you down the aisle to your seat.
This has been another goDRIVE electric wheelchair driving tip video from Michele, our CEO.
FOLD & GO WHEELCHAIRS® | Traveling with Your Electric Wheelchair